Government action on climate change

Gina McCarthy speaks at a climate workshop sponsored by The Climate Center at Georgetown University in Washington. The Senate approved McCarthy to head the Environmental Protection Agency on July 18. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon.]

Another bit of good news is the confirmation of Gina McCarthy as the new administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency. As an air-pollution expert, McCarthy will be at the helm of implementing rules to help protect our planet from climate change.

Now is the time we all need to speak up in public and support strong federal actions to reduce the pollution that is warming our planet, and rein in outdated and dirty energy sources that are creating extreme weather globally.

Karen Peralta, Kenmore

A long time coming

President Barack Obama at the 2013 inaugural ceremony. Obama urged his supporters to work on behalf of party interests, including taking solid steps to prevent further climate change. [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File.]

I’m not sure why it has taken until now for our government to speak out about protecting our world from ourselves, and decide to make plans for a less-destructive footprint, but I’m glad it finally is happening.

The fracking and gas industries are major threats to our land, and without eliminating those, we really have no hope for a future in this country. I believe renewable energy is a step in the right direction.

I hope President Obama makes an actual difference and future presidents follow his positive actions. This is our country, but we have left it in his hands. Let’s hope he handles it with care.

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